Justin Rost

Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Liason

Justin Rost is the program Director of the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. Helmets to Hardhats specializes in helping service members and veterans enter careers in the construction building trades. Justin is a veteran of Marine Corps infantry and an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing on open or frozen waters, hunting big or small game, trapping, foraging, camping, recreational shooting, and ATVing in the Northwoods.

Sarah Sumner

Mental Health Liason

Hi there! I am Sarah Sumner, MSW, LICSW and Owner of Mindful Connection Therapy. My passion is to change lives by healing painful experiences and putting them where they belong, in the past! I am a certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA consultant.

I have a special place in my heart for service members and their families. My husband is a USMC Veteran.  My step-son and two nephews are currently active in the US Army.  I have many family members who have served in the military.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.  I have been working in the mental health field for nearly fifteen years. My professional experience has been working in domestic violence programs, VA Mental Health Clinic, psychiatric hospital social work, prison social work, school-based therapy and outpatient private practice.  In 2022,  I  accomplished my dream of owning a private practice and opened Mindful Connection Therapy.   I am also a proud provider and supporter of the Veterans Resilience Project Network and MN Fire Network.

Through my personal experiences and healing journey with EMDR, I found that years of traditional talk therapy just didn’t help.  It was only when I started EMDR that things really started to shift in my life (my body, my brain, my relationships).

Everyday I watch the same thing happen for clients I work with.  Their lives change. They can connect with others.  They are no longer haunted by images and memories of traumatic experiences.  They aren’t angry or anxious anymore.  They aren’t triggered by every little thing.  They are at peace in the moment and begin to love their life again. This is my hope for you.  Even if I am not the best fit for you, I can assist you in finding another EMDR therapist who can help you on your healing journey!  You deserve to be happy and whole again!

Mindful Connection Therapy
657 Main St NW Suite 208
Elk River, MN 55330
Phone: 612-412-1136
Website: mindfulconnectiontherapy.com or emdr.life

Nick Thomas

Personal Trainer/Dietician

I am Nick Thomas, I served on the USS Montpelier SSN 765 as a Torpedoman (MM3) in the US Navy. I Made one deployment in 2003 where our boat shot 20 tomahawk cruise missiles in the Global War on Terrorism earning us an NUC, Navy Expeditionary medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal as well. I also took on other roles such as Small Arms Petty Officer and ROLMS (Retail ordinance logistic management system). I was Honorably discharged with disability for a 12-time patella dislocation.

After the military I fell into addiction where I struggled for years. I witnessed first-hand death, destruction, and suicide too much from these paths of addiction, depression, and loss of self-worth. Finally with the help from a friend and God, I found my real purpose in life, to help other people learn from my mistakes. Using my poor decisions turned into something positive to help others. Unfortunately, the friend who helped me get sober passed away in 2018 from an overdose.

15 years sober now, I have a wife who I married in 2010, and 2 wonderful kids and 2 crazy dogs. In 2012 I received a college degree in Health and Exercise Science from MN School of Business. I have been lifting now for 15 years and helping people in the gym to gain weight, lose weight, and use the gym as a stress relief from life. I believe the gym can teach and help us mentally as much as physically. I am a very open about everything in my life, hoping to shine my light to anyone that needs it.

Andrea Thomas

Women’s Personal Trainer/Dietician

Hi, my name is Andrea, I grew up in Minnesota and have been married for 13 years, we have 2 beautiful boys age 6 and 12 along with 2 dogs. I have always had a passion for animals. I went to college and graduated with a Degree in Veterinary Technology, but after getting pregnant, switched my focus on being a full-time Mom. My personal connection to veterans is being married to Nick and helping him live and adjust to civilian life after being in the military. Seeing the struggles in the day-to-day life many of us as civilians don’t see, transitioning from military life to ‘normal’ civilian life and wanting to pursue a deeper purpose in his life.

As a family, we live an active lifestyle and are always looking for new meals and workouts to better our routines and overall health. I have been lifting for 15 years and have grown both physically and mentally throughout those years. I am a quiet reserved person that has gone from 120 pounds skinny to a 155-pound strong, muscular woman whose confidence is much higher. Nick and I workout together 4-5 days a week and try to help others whenever we can. I believe being a part of Roger Up is where God has pushed me and give me purpose. I am really excited to share my knowledge with veterans and help them learn to incorporate an active lifestyle to grow both physically and mentally.

Jake Pearson

Hunting and Fishing Liason

My name is Jake Pearson. Father of four and husband to one! Currently working construction and ranching my generational family farm and my own families farming operation. We run a cow calf and fattening operation in SE Minnesota with roughly 200-250 head at a given time. I served with 3rd Battalion 3rd marines as an infantrymen (0331 machine gunner) from 2009-2013 with two combat deployments under my belt.

With all the hustle of everyday life and the past experiences I’ve had as a relation to my time in service I’ve found that the outdoors , hunting and fishing have really helped me adjust and center myself again. With that being said that’s what I bring to the table. I find great pleasure in helping and introducing people to these activities and currently still have guys I served with come up every year for a deer hunt and enjoy every minute of it. I look forward to reaching out and helping as many as I possibly can

Berlynn Fleury

Women’s Engagement Coordinator

Berlynn Fleury is a United States Marine Corps veteran with one deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a Mental Health Practitioner, Certified Peer Specialist, and Health & Wellness Coach; She has a decade of experience advocating for Veterans and first responders and provides unique support with women’s engagement, trauma informed services, fundraising, and education.
In her spare time she enjoys collecting rocks, playing piano, and outdoor adventures!